. . . March the 1st, I and wife and family, came upon the ship John M. Wood and brought our luggage aboard with us and I and two oldest sons lodged on board. All and wife and rest of family went and lodged as N. B.

On the 2nd: wife and all of us lodged on board and all things was in a confusion as the cargo was not all on board.

On the 3rd it was the same and 4th and 5 and 6 and 7. A young French brother fell into the hold but he was able to walk about on the 9th. His head was cut above the left temple.

On the 7 we moved to pull out into the river but the water was too low for the ship so we pulled back into another part of the dock and took in more cargo.

On the 8th still took in cargo and the lumpers made as much noise as they could all the time or almost all the time as they wrought night and day.

On the 9th the inspectors came on board to inspect the ship but would not give her clearance as all was not right so we had to stay a little longer. The ship was [p.333] also divided into ten branches and I was appointed to preside over the eighth one and there was 4 companies of guards and I was appointed captain of one.

On the 10th the doctor and inspectors came on board and passed all on board.

On the 11th there was more cargo took on board. I have been three times on guard twice, twelve hours and once 24.

On the 12th we left Liverpool in a very fine day with little wind. There a few sick on board. The steam boat left us about 12 o'clock and we went but slow. We lashed all boxes and everything that was loose and in the afternoon the wind blew very strong which made the ship rock so much that our water tins & that was not lashed went rattling to the tempest tune. Men, women, children and pans, bags of potatoes was rocking about as they were drunk and most all on board was sick. I and my family was very sick. In the afternoon a signal for a pilot was hoisted and one came on board about 7 o'clock at night and we turned on our way back to Liverpool. But in the morning 13th we put to sea again and we stood off the Isle of Man about 2 o'clock afternoon and we had a good wind but it was too much to the north. Able to go about and [p.334] cook and look after the sick. The pilot is still on board.

Tuesday 15th still a head wind and we stood off Holyhead in the afternoon. A stormy night.

Wednesday 16th still a head wind and in the morning we lay of Holyhead making very little progress. At night I attended to a meeting in my Branch and many of the brethren spoke and the Spirit of God was with us and I and some others said we would have a fair wind soon. Pilot still on board.

Thursday 16th we came insight of inland and about 8 o'clock in the morning the wind changed in our favor and our gallant ship did skip along well and the sick on the ship began to mend quick. The wind blew fair till the next morning when we had a head wind again.

Friday 17th in the morning we came in sight of Tusker Rock lighthouse and at noon we came in sight of the Cove of Cork. Still a head wind . The sickness still getting better. My youngest son is very ill, but all the rest is much improved. The pilot was got off the ship by a pilot boat of the Core of Cor. Still a head wind but we still made a little progress. Had a good night.

Saturday 18th got a fair wind and we set every sail we could and made a good way. We passed Careck [LOCATION UNCLEAR] an island and set into the ocean and still made [p.335] good way through the night or in the morning our fore stun sail yard broke and it was blowing so hard some of the rest of the sails was taken down but in the whole had a good night of it. I met in council with the first presidency and others elders for two or three hours and in the afternoon met in council with the officers of my branch and had a good time of it.

Sunday 19th still fair wind ship going at a good speed. There was a general meeting on deck with a heavy sea on and there was some knocking about in the galley. Red herrings getting into the porridge pans and all going upside down in a general way and in the 2nd deck tins kept rattling about but all the Saints feel to go ahead and rejoice that they are so far on their way to Zion. About 5 o'clock afternoon the new stun sail boom that was put up in the forenoon was broke off by a squall in the evening. There was meetings in all the branches and the Lord Supper was attended to. The ship rolled very much all night but still fair wind.

Monday 20th Ship still rolling with a fair wind. Sickness is still decreasing. One of Rob family's little boys fell down the stair of the main hatch and was scalded with the dinner he was taken down in a pan. All the [p.336] rest of the day passed off well and a good night.

Tuesday 21st Still fair wind and the ship still rolling away and a few sick.

Wednesday 22nd Wind fair until about 12 o'clock when it changed a little which let the ship get more sail out and the ship went a little more steady along. Still a few sick. Had a good meeting in my branch and some of the brethren spoke. Brother Woodard [Woodward] was there and gave some good counsel. Had a good night of it.

Thursday 23 At past 4 o'clock in the morning Brother [Thomas] Todd's youngest child [James] died and about 8 o'clock a.m. a stun sail fell from the fore yard and hurt Sister Holly, wife of [-] Holly. Fine weather. Ship going fairly steady Brother Todd is child was buried in the sea at 12 o'clock noon and I acted as Parson for it. A school was commenced for the children. Wind still in our favor.

Friday 24th Had a good night. Sick still on the way of recovery. A ship passed us about 5 o'clock p.m. I was rather sick today. The brethren commenced to make tent and wagon covers. Our ship went very slow as there was a great calm.

Saturday 25th General cleaning in the morning. The wind blowing a little more in our favor and going faster then the night before, I met in council with the first president of the ship for two or three hours. We came insight of the Western Islands about 5 o'clock p.m. Still [p.337] sailing with a good wind. Had a good night of it.

Sunday 26 Good wind. Had a general meeting on deck and in the afternoon and evening had meeting in the branches and the Lord's Supper when Elder Derris [Derrys] and I had our Branch meeting. Brother J. Stofield's [Stoffeil's] child died about 6 o'clock p.m. We had a very calm night of it.

Monday 27th In the morning it was very calm so that the ship went very slow. Brother Stofield's [Stoffeil's] child was buried in the sea about 7 o'clock a.m. The wind began to blow rather more and we went on a little better. Still some sick on board. Am sick today. We had a calm night but the ship made a little way.

Tuesday 28th Had a head wind. We began to make our tent and wagon covers for the plains & the branches got them divided among them to make. It was very calm with a head wind. We saw a ship off us a little and a few miles. A few sick on board. My wife was very sick all night.

Wednesday 29 Still head wind going very slow. Partly wet today. Had a branch meeting at night. The wind began to blow in our favor and we went on well.

Thursday 30 The wind blew ahead almost to a hurricane and many was sick on board. I was very [sick] in the evening. About 5 or 6 o'clock they were afraid of the main yard coming down [p.338] it blew so hard and about 11 o'clock at night it rained very heavy and the wind changed and in the putting about of the ships she shipped some heavy seas and the rain and sea came down the main hatch in still so that many were afraid and I rose and put on my clothes and kept them on all night as it was very rough.

Friday 31st The wind changed in our favor but still the sea running heavy and the ship rolled about very much but the sickness was not so much. We had a good night of it. It is beautiful to look on the wonders of the mighty God on the great deep.

Saturday April 1st Still the wind in our favor and the ship rolling on making pans and other things roll about. About 7 o'clock in the morning passed us for England. We had a good day of it and the ship sailing well. The ship rolled very much all night.

Sunday 2nd W had a preaching on deck in the forenoon. Elder Woodard [Jabez Woodward] preached and during the time of meeting Brother A. [Allan] Miller's young child died. The ship still rolling away and making all things roll that will. My health is not so good these two last days. About 3 past 2 o'clock Elder McDonald was called to pray for the wife of Elder G. Day's which is lying in the hospital very ill. Her spirit might go home to God who gave it. She has been ill [p.339a] for a long time before she came on the ship. Brother Miller's child was buried in the sea about past 4 o'clock p.m. while my branch was at meeting when we had good time of it and the Lord Supper. We had a good night of the ship not rolling so much.

Monday 3rd The wind still in our favor and many of the brothers and sisters busy on deck some doing one thing and some another. Sickness is not so much today as many go a good night's sleep. Elder G. Day's wife died at 35 minutes before 12 o'clock a.m. and was buried in the sea or under the ocean near at sundown when a solemn air was thrown around be the clouds covering the sun and light of the moon. I gave out the 154 hymn and prayed on the occasion. We was in latitude 28.29 longitude 45.46 when she died. We have still a fair wind and our ship goes gallantly along.

Tuesday the 4th Still a fair wind and all things going on well and very little sickness. The wind was blowing so strong toward the evening and our ship did not go so quick. Very calm night.

Wednesday 5th, mounted guard at one o'clock morning till 5. We are very near in a calm going very slow but still our head to Zion. Not many sick. My wife is sick today and very loose in her bowels. The whole [p.339b] on deck seems alive with schools and tent and wagon cover making. We were in a cabin all night.

Thursday 6th still in a calm. The weather very hot and we held a fast in remembrance of the organization of the Church. We met in the forepart of the [-]. All the man or nearly so and some of the brothers spoke after Brother R. [Richard] Campbell. We had a good time of it and in the afternoon and evening the branches had meeting and all went on well. About 12 o'clock at night the wind began to blow in our favor and we went about 4 miles an hour.

Friday 7th The wind still in our favor and we went on at about 4 miles an hour. Weather still very hot. Very few sick. I had 4 men on guard all night.

Saturday 8th Wind still in our favor in a slow way. We had a general council with the first presidency and the fine elders of the branches. Had a good time of it. Brother [David Butler] Butters youngest child died about 7 o'clock p.m. It was ill for sometime. About 10 o'clock p.m. it came on very heavy rain and kept on until about 2 o'clock in the morning and many of the brethren rose from their beds and kept water to wash themselves. I was one among the rest. Was captain of the guard all night.

Sunday 9th Brother Butter's [David Butler's] child was buried in the sea about 8 o'clock a.m. We had a general meeting on deck at 11 o'clock a.m. President [E.] Campbell preached and at the time it began to [p.340] rain. There was meetings in the branches during the afternoon and evening and dispensed the Lord's Supper. Still a few sick on board. The Saints is in good spirits for God our Father is good to us, thanks to his holy name for it. The wind is fair all night and still we go on.

Monday 10th A very warm day and the wind still in our favor. Saints busy on deck. Very few sick. Two remained sick. On deck all night viz. Sister C. Holley and Sister Gillions. They were rather better in the morning.

Tuesday 11th Weather very hot. Wind fair. There was a shower bath set on fit this morning and a few bathed in the evening. Elder Woodard [Woodward] gave a lecture on his travels in Italy and Malta which was very entertaining. The brethren that smoke tobacco some of them that is run out is smoking their tea. Had a very quiet night.

Wednesday 12 Very hot in the morning. Some rain and the Saints kept some to wash with. We are in a calm, had a meeting of my branch in the afternoon and a good spirit and the gift of God in tongues and interpretation given. We remained in the calm. The first Sunday we were out at sea there was a marriage.

Thursday 13th We had a little wind and we got along a little. About 12 o'clock the galley caught fire but it was soon put out. Some of the Saints was rather alarmed [p.341] but no confusion existed still very hot. Had a good night of it.

Friday 14th Wind began to blow some heavier which caused us to get quicker along. Saw several ships today. Elder Woodard [Woodward] gave a lecture in the evening on his travels Italy and Malta and the custom of the places. The wind still in our favor and was all night.

Saturday 15th Two ships in sight and as one was going the same way as us orders was given to put up as many sails as they could and we made up to her fast as we had still a good wind. Met in council with the first presidency and the presiding elders of branches. Had a good time of it. We had a good night of it.

Sunday 16th Had a general meeting on deck. Elder Woodard [Woodward] preached. Wind still in our favor and we hailed a ship in the morning with passengers on board. We had our usual meetings in the branches and in the evening the wind began to change with lightning and thunder and the ship began to roll and there was some heavy rain and it was beautiful to look in the ocean wave when the lightning went flashing along. We had a rough night of it.

Monday 17th It rained very heavy in the morning and I got out of bed to keep some water to wash with as it was scarce otherwise. The wind is still a head but not so stormy in the afternoon it broke off till we had a calm.

Tuesday 18th Still a calm in the [p.342] evening Elder McDonald gave a lecture on reading and study.

Wednesday 19th Sister Foulter was delivered of a son and daughter. All doing well. Several ships in sight today and a head wind in the morning but it changed in our favor and we sailed well. We came in sight of the Hole in the Rock lighthouse in the evening and it caused many to be glad for the sight of land I had a good meeting in my branch in the evening. Elder Woodard [Woodward] was there and spoke to us a little. The ship went very steady all night.

Thursday 20th We passed the Hole in the Rock about 1 o'clock morning and we saw several islands today and many ships. We had a very pleasant night of it.

Friday 21st We passed early in the morning the lighthouse called the Gun Lock. We have a fair wind. Several ships in sight today - very warm in the morning. The ship was most onshore. We had a very fine night of it.

Saturday 22 Still fair wind and we left the Gulf of Florida and entered the Gulf of Mexico about 8 o'clock in the morning and came in sight of land about 2 o'clock p.m. Met in general council about 1 o'clock p.m. Several of the branches had tea parties this week. We had a good night. Seeing lighthouses part of the night.

Sunday 23rd Still fair wind. Several ships in sight and land with a beautiful green sea. We had a general meeting on deck [p.343] in the forenoon. Elders Campbell, Woodard [Woodward] and McDonald spoke in the afternoon. There was meetings in all the branches. It is very hot today and the ship was very steady all night.

Monday 24 Fair wind. Ship sailing well and we had a conference beginning about 11 o'clock and we had a good time of it and all the authorities of the Church from the Prophet Brigham was upheld and all was willing to go to the Valley of the Salt Lake. We had a very fine night of it.

Tuesday 25 Wind in our favor. So very hot Elder A. [Alexander] F. McDonald gave a lecture on his travels in the highlands of Scotland in the evening. Had a good night of it.

Wednesday 26 Wind fair. All well on board but one which was ill when she came on board. We had a meeting in the 8 branches in the afternoon. Mounted guard with six men --three in the evening and three in the morning.

Thursday 27th We came to the bar at the Mississippi River. A steam tug came alongside and gave two newspapers in which we learned that the "Windermere" ship that sailed about 18 days before us arrived on Sunday last. There was 12 death, 36 ill with smallpox and all the sick sent to the hospital in New Orleans. A pilot came on board about 10 o'clock a.m. and we came to anchor about 10 o'clock p.m. [p.344] Sister Smith, wife of Ralph Smith, died about 1/4 to 8 o'clock p.m. and left her family to mourn her loss. She died as calm as she was going to sleep.

Friday 28th Sister Smith was buried in the sea at the [-] in a square coffin at which we were at anchor. In the forenoon two steam boats came and tugged us over the bar where we came to anchor again in the Great Mississippi River or mouth of it. Conducted a funeral sermon for the husband and family of the late Sister Smith in my branch or 8 branch. We lay at anchor till Monday the 1st of May and the weather was very cool all the time we lay here. We were towed away about 8 o'clock a.m. with another ship. The steamboat was between the ships and it cheered the hearts of the Saints to look on the land of Joseph where God in the last days sends forth his servants to the nations of the Earth that all may know that God lives and my heart in this does rejoice to look on it also and to know that the blood of prophets and Saints does stain this land in the last days for this God will visit it in his due time.

Tuesday 2nd I wrote a letter to John Thomlier Burton in Lansdale England. We arrived in New Orleans about 2 o'clock p.m. All well.

On the 3rd we left New Orleans on board the steamboat "Josiah Lawrence" an old rotten tub. Every steamer on the river went a head of her. The scenery of the Mississippi [p.345] is very grand and a very crooked river too.

On the 9th a boy 9 years of age died belonging to a stranger on board and a little girl belonging to James Greenwood of Lotington, England. It died about 9 o'clock a.m. with a disease in the head and bowels 3 years of age.

On the 10 a little boy about 6 years old died of the same complaint - James Greenwood. They were buried on the bank of the river where many thousands are every year. Death rides on this river or as the Lord said to Joseph they will require great faith to go to Zion on the waters in the last days. These has been many sick of their bowels by looseness. Many went on shore at Memphis to buy food and other things. This is 800 miles from New Orleans. Brother Brown and others were left at Memphis as they were not in time for the steamer and they got on another and passed us.

Thursday 11th Brother Ralph Smith's only daughter died. She was a stout girl. She died about 8 o'clock p.m. while some of the elders was at prayer on the upper deck of the steamer. There was also another brother's child died. I am ill with my bowels too.

Friday 12th The two was buried on the bank of the river. There is some still sick. Elder Brown and the others that was left at Memphis got on at Cairo. We had a rough night. [p.346]

Saturday 13th Sister Bar from Glasgow Scotland died of cholera about 8 o'clock a.m. She was very useful when she was well among the sick when on sea and on this river. This morning is very wet and thunder and lightning. A few sick still on board. The first presidency and President Elder meets in prayer on the hurricane deck night and morning that the Lord might save his people while on this river from the power of the destroyer.

Sunday 14th Sister Bar [Isabella Baw] was buried about 3 o'clock in the morning under the light of the moon on the bank of the river and another sister was also buried the same day. We arrived at quarantine ground about 8 o'clock a.m. and after getting all my boxes on board of a old hulk, went by steam boat to St. Louis where met with my mother and sister Grace and her little daughter. My sister's husband died about 3 weeks ago. I also met with Brother Alex Daw and his wife who was well and doing well and they came with me to the island and my mother and sister where my family was and when we came there I could not get on but Brother A.[Alex] Daw being acquainted with the doctor got to see him and I got the grant to come on and there was a meeting on the hulk and Elder A. [Alexander] F. McDonald presided and we had [p.347] the Lord's Supper and some of the brethren spoke in the evening. Brother and Sister Daw and my wife and family went to St. Louis and stopped here all night and they in St. Louis.

Monday 15th the doctor and his men examined all boxes to see if all was dry. I wrote a letter to T. Forrest Jameston [in] Scotland. Elder [Henry] Savage's oldest son died and was buried on this island. Many that comes on this island never leave it in this state.

Tuesday 16th We had a thunderstorm with wind and rain which made the old hulk we are shake some. Sick on board. Very cold all night.

Wednesday 17th Sister Sarah Taylor died about 1 o'clock morning. Still some sick. Cold morning . Very cold all day. Brother Ralph Smith died in the hospital about 6 o'clock p.m. and William Gillons died in the hospital about 11 o'clock p.m.

Thursday 18th Fine morning. Still a few sick. Sister Taylor was buried today on the island. We left the island and came to St. Louis in the afternoon by the on a ferry steamboat and came to my mother's house, Camp Spring, where found my wife and family all well and lodged there all night.

Friday 19th In company with Sister Margaret Snaddon went Grand [--]. Spent a few hours there and came back to St. Louis and embarked in a steamer [p.348] and left St. Louis about 5 o'clock p.m. and about 8 o'clock Elder [Francis] Laidlaw died and was buried about the middle of the night on the bank of the Missouri River. The berth which me and my wife and family had was a wagon on the hurricane deck.

Saturday 20th A beautiful morning. A few sick on board. Sister [Jane] Laidlaw, wife of the above, her son died about 12 o'clock at night a child [Andrew] about a year old.

Sunday 21st It was buried about 3 o'clock. Morning very foggy and boat going very slow and stopped part of the time. Two sick on board. Went very well all night. I appointed six men to deep watch all night on the hurricane deck.

Monday 22nd Very warm day. We got our tickets for the passage to the Kansas. We had a very good night of it. The boat sailed well.

Tuesday 23rd Fine morning and all day fine.

Wednesday 24th All the berth that was put up at St. Louis was taken down and bed boxes was knocked about in all directions and we got to the Kansas in the afternoon and from these about mile farther on where we got all onshore. Boxes and we got all our luggage weighed and we camped for the first time. Brother Fred Anderson and family camped together.

Thursday 25th. We camped and remained as the day before and I went and visited the main camp which was about 2 miles off. . . [p. 349]

. . . Saturday 1st, July, 1854, made ready to start over the plains. . . .[p. 353]

. . . Sunday, 1st of Oct. [1854], we came into the Salt Lake City and camped in the public square and many of my brethren called to see me and family. . . . [p. 363]

BIB: MacMaster, William Athole. Diaries. (Ms 989), vol. 1, pp. 333-49, 353,363; Acc. #4119. (CHL)
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